Controversy surrounding "doomsday budget" in Maryland

Annapolis, Maryland: Tension is building in Maryland in response to the 2013 budget, as debate continues regarding a proposed "special session" of the General Assembly in May. Dozens of groups, including public employee unions, nonprofits, and religious organizations, have signed a letter sent to Governor Martin O'Malley (D) and both Chambers of the legislature demanding that the Assembly return for a special session to raise taxes as a way to offset sharp reductions in spending set to take effect in 2013. Faith leaders and others have called it a "doomsday budget," and want lawmakers to pass a tax increase on tobacco products as a way to lessen cuts to education and social services.[1][2]

On Monday, Republican Delegate Herb McMillan wrote an Op-Ed in the Baltimore Sun defending the budget, and claimed that the "media simply repeat the Orwellian claims of liberal Democrats without validating them" and added, "No budget is perfect, but let not the perfect be the enemy of the good. The 'doomsday' budget is that rarest of all occurrences in government: compromise."[3]